Best hotels in Duluth

Duluth Introduction

Duluth’s stunning location on the shore of Lake Superior has made it a popular base for outdoor sports vacations, boasting world-class sailing and surfing conditions, challenging ski runs, and scenic mountain-biking trails. The city is host to the famous Grandma’s Marathon, which attracts top athletes keen to test themselves on the iconic route of Highway 61; the annual sled dog race is another annual highlight, while the Biennial Trans Superior International Yacht Race reaches its exciting climax on the Duluth lakeside. A stroll through tranquil Canal Park will lead you to other water-based attractions, including a freshwater aquarium and a floating museum ship.

Hotels in Duluth

Hotels in Duluth are experts in catering for all needs, from simple overnight stops to full-on vacations. You’ll find a wide choice of accommodation, from well-appointed inns run by reliable national brands to budget-friendly traditional motels. Absorb the timeless elegance of heritage landmarks like the 4-star Fitger’s Inn, appreciate the state-of-the-art leisure facilities of family resorts such as Edgewater Hotel & Waterpark, or snap up competitive Duluth hotel rates in a cozy highway motel. Fall through winter represents peak surfing and skiing season, so you’ll need to book early for the best choice of dates and availability.

Where to stay

Hotels in Duluth's downtown combine all the best features of the city—scenic views, tranquil walks, and proximity to all the cultural attractions. You’ll find some of the best luxury hotels in Duluth on the lakeside, where you can watch the colorful comings and goings of the city’s busy port as you enjoy a drink at the bar. Check into a family-friendly resort hotel along the North Shore and benefit from a wealth of on-site leisure amenities. Or head southwest along Interstate 35 to find cozy inns on the edge of the unspoiled Magney-Snively Natural Area, with easy access to the Western Waterfront Trail.

Things to see

Begin your lakeside adventure at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center to discover Duluth’s strategic role in the shipping industry of the Great Lakes. The museum displays fascinating maritime artifacts and scale models of historic ships, while the nearby Aerial Lift Bridge is a feat of engineering that's still in use over a century after its original construction. Stroll along Canal Park’s scenic lakeside to the S.S. ‘William A. Irvin,’ which was a flagship of U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes fleet for 4 decades, and is now enjoying a new lease of life as a floating museum. Get up-close views of what lies beneath the waves at the Great Lakes Aquarium, which houses many species that are indigenous to Lake Superior as well as other freshwater habitats around the world. For panoramic views over Duluth’s bustling harbor, climb Enger Hill to the observation tower—the green beacon atop this popular local landmark can be seen from miles away.

How to get to Duluth

Duluth International Airport’s nonstop flights to Chicago and Minneapolis open up a choice of domestic and international onward connections, and the Skyline Shuttle provides a ground link between Duluth and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. Duluth’s busy commercial port also welcomes passenger cruise liners. The main highway access is via Interstate 35 and U.S. Routes 53 and 2; alternatively, channel your inner Bob Dylan with a ride along scenic Highway 61, which links Duluth with the Canadian border. Public travel in Duluth is supplied by Duluth Transit Authority buses, which serve downtown and the surrounding communities.